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Topic Review (Newest First)

04-13-2014 06:18 AM

njk

Sorry, didn't see the photos til now! thanks for that, I showed my partner and he agreed our pup was about the same size at about the same age. We both strongly suspect she was the runt. We let the breeder choose her for us and we didn't meet her until we picked her up from the airport. For a breeder who has been in business 40 years, we were surprised that our pup was the opposite really of what we'd asked for. Her sister, who was advertised on their Facebook page a week later, was described as exactly what we said we wanted in a pup, so we were confused as to why we'd gotten the 'wrong' dog. We love her though and don't care at all if she is the runt, but it wculd probably explain why she in particular was selected for us. They breed Showline dogs so stands to reason our pup wouldn't have made the cut if she was the runt.

04-06-2014 04:14 AM

Springbrz

Our Runt of the litter 4.8 lbs at 7 weeks

11 weeks

1 year

04-06-2014 02:56 AM

njk

Does anyone happen to have photos of their runt of the litter pups? we don't know any GSDs to compare to, but notice that ours seems smaller compared to other pups we see photos of online. We suspect she might have been the runt (she's also quite tough and bossy around us, but very submissive to other dogs) but I wouldn't mind seeing what other runts looked like as pups

03-27-2014 07:41 AM

Contego

Oh I absolutely agree there's a difference between the runt and just the small one in the litter. I'm quoting the breeder, she said he was the runt. As far as physical features, there's nothing wrong with him. He's put together well, he's just small.

03-27-2014 12:11 AM

RubyTuesday

I agree with Lies that there's a difference b/w a runt & a pup that's just smaller. Given the immune problems this pup might well be a runt but it sounds as though he's doing very well. Size isn't the most important attribute in a dog so feed him appropriately, keep him sound & healthy, & keep on loving him at whatever size he grows to be. It will be the perfect size for him.

03-26-2014 09:36 AM

Liesje

There's a difference between picking a smaller puppy and a puppy that really is runty. To me a true runt often has a problem when it is young and sometimes overcomes it, sometimes not. There was a runt in Legend's litter. At 2 weeks she was considerably smaller, like almost half the size of the others. She didn't make it. Nikon and Pan were both the smallest males in their litters (litter sizes of 10 and 9 I believe) and now both are completely normal size. Legend is "only* 35 lbs at 22 weeks but I'm not the slightest bit worried. No point in having a HUGE puppy. If the puppy is healthy then there's no arbitrary weight it must be. No litter is going to produce 6-12 dogs exactly the same size and weight. If the parents were good quality, healthy dogs of the correct size then you probably have nothing to worry about.

03-26-2014 12:27 AM

Msmaria

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigervTeMar

I think it's awesome that my guy may grow big, but I'm also completely OK if he doesn't get as big as his dad (who was pretty big). It will be easier on his joints and after seeing HD that needed euthanasia in my family's rottweiler I will definitely not complain if he's small or medium sized. Or if he's big

I think thats a good way to look at it. Im used to having smaller dogs and was glad my pup was smaller. However he grew larger than average, but I love him the way he is. .

03-25-2014 09:28 PM

Springbrz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Msmaria

Haha this statement cracks me up.

What is so funny about what I said? I'm curious...

03-25-2014 08:56 PM

Dainerra

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contego

It actually eases my mind a little to know he's the runt. It explains his current size a bit. I've been so worried because he comes in weighing much less than everyone else's pups that are his age.!

there's a good chance that "everyone else's" pups are bigger than they should be. Some people use "runt" to describe any puppy that is smaller than the others. Not every puppy will be the biggest, most every litter will have a pup that is slightly smaller than the other.

Then there is the more technical "runt" This is a puppy that is born smaller, often with internal organs not entirely formed or as fully formed as they should be. A good example would be "peanuts" in a litter of rabbits. These babies often don't survive for long and, if they do, they usually have numerous health problems related to their abnormal birth.

03-25-2014 04:27 PM

Contego

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Wolf

Pretty much this. Being the runt doesn't mean he will be small forever, but who knows. Doesn't change anything in the end, right?

Doesn't change a thing! I wouldn't love him more if he wasn't the runt. I don't think it's possible for me to love him more! He's my heart dog!

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